Spring is here! — under the snow

Winter takes its leave with a snarl, snow and slush on its way out

Bryan Fitzgerald

Updated 7:25 am, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

"Shiner", a three month old jack russell terrier plays in the snow as her owner, Aaron Bagwell of Albany took her for a walk in Washington Park on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Albany, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

"Shiner", a three month old jack russell terrier plays in the snow...

Shiner, a three month old Jack Russell terrier plays in the snow as her owner, Aaron Bagwell of Albany took her for a walk in Washington Park on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Albany, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Shiner, a three month old Jack Russell terrier plays in the snow as...

A student makes her way across a snow covered parking lot at Hudson Valley Community College on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Troy, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A student makes her way across a snow covered parking lot at Hudson...

A student uses his hands to clear snow off the back of his car at Hudson Valley Community College on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Troy, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A student uses his hands to clear snow off the back of his car at...

Mike Macminn of Albany sculls in the Hudson River in Albany Tuesday March 19, 2013. Asked if he minded the snow he said "it's not the snow but the water temperature that's a worry." (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Mike Macminn of Albany sculls in the Hudson River in Albany Tuesday...

Natalia Daparma, 7, of Victory hangs upside down on a swing as she plays in the snow at her home on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Victory, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Natalia Daparma, 7, of Victory hangs upside down on a swing as she...

Natalia Daparma, 7, of Victory hangs upside down on a swing while her friend Amber Willette, 13, of Victory watches on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Victory, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Natalia Daparma, 7, of Victory hangs upside down on a swing while...

A snow plow clears a street on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Victory, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

A snow plow clears a street on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Victory,...

Maintenance worker Bruce Robinson helps clear the steps of snow on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at the University at Albany in Albany , N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Maintenance worker Bruce Robinson helps clear the steps of snow on...

Schenectady Fire Department Captain Tim Tietz and his men are covered with snow March 19, 2013 while waiting to clear an accident with a fuel spill on Erie Boulevard in Schenectady, N.Y.(Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Schenectady Fire Department Captain Tim Tietz and his men are...

Schenectady Firefighter Sean Burns is covered with snow March 19, 2013 while waiting to clear an accident with a fuel spill on Erie Boulevard in Schenectady, N.Y.(Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Schenectady Firefighter Sean Burns is covered with snow March 19,...

Schenectady Firefighters and Police officers are covered while March 19, 2013 while waiting to clear an accident with a fuel spill on Erie Boulevard in Schenectady, N.Y.(Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Schenectady Firefighters and Police officers are covered while...

A tow vehicle hooks up to a damaged tractor trailer March 19, 2013 at the scene of an accident with a fuel spill on Erie Boulevard in Schenectady, N.Y.(Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A tow vehicle hooks up to a damaged tractor trailer March 19, 2013...

A man uses a notebook to shield himself from the heavy snow on Franklin Street March 19, 2013, in Schenectady, N.Y.(Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A man uses a notebook to shield himself from the heavy snow on...

Drew Hasbrouck clears the sidewalk at a residence on 5th Avenue March 19, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. after a break in the forecast snow storm that his the area overnight. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Drew Hasbrouck clears the sidewalk at a residence on 5th Avenue...

Spring is tomorrow, REALLY!!! This is Saratoga Springs. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Spring is tomorrow, REALLY!!! This is Saratoga Springs. (Skip...

A Subaru is stuck in the median after sliding off I-87 northbound during a snow storm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Colonie, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

A Subaru is stuck in the median after sliding off I-87 northbound...

State Ed employee Jarvis Alexander spreads rock salt along the sidewalk in front of the State Education Building in Albany Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

State Ed employee Jarvis Alexander spreads rock salt along the...

State Ed employees Bob Knight, left, and Jarvis Alexander shovel and spread rock salt along the sidewalks around the State Education Building in Albany Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

State Ed employees Bob Knight, left, and Jarvis Alexander shovel...

A NYS DOT plow tries to keep up with the heavy snow on Erie Boulevard March 19, 2013, in Schenectady, N.Y.(Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A NYS DOT plow tries to keep up with the heavy snow on Erie...

Emergency workers move an accident victim to a waiting ambulance after a 3-car accident on Broadway and Pine St. in Rensselaer Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Emergency workers move an accident victim to a waiting ambulance...

Emergency workers move an accident victim to a waiting ambulance after a 3-car accident on Broadway and Pine St. in Rensselaer Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Emergency workers move an accident victim to a waiting ambulance...

Scene of a 3-car accident on Broadway and Pine St. in Rensselaer Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Scene of a 3-car accident on Broadway and Pine St. in Rensselaer...

One of 3-cars involved in an accident at Broadway and Pine St. in Rensselaer, this pick up ended up against a house Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

One of 3-cars involved in an accident at Broadway and Pine St. in...

One of 3-cars involved in an accident at Broadway and Pine St. in Rensselaer Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

One of 3-cars involved in an accident at Broadway and Pine St. in...

U. S. Mail letter carrier Chris Butkereit walks through the snow and slush to make sure the mail is delivered on his route on Eastern Parkway March 19, 2013, in Schenectady, N.Y.(Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

U. S. Mail letter carrier Chris Butkereit walks through the snow...

A city snow plow works to plow and salt Broadway in Rensselaer Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

A city snow plow works to plow and salt Broadway in Rensselaer...

A city snow plow works to plow and salt Partition Street in Rensselaer Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

A city snow plow works to plow and salt Partition Street in...

An Albany city snow plow on Broadway in Albany Tuesday March 19, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

An Albany city snow plow on Broadway in Albany Tuesday March 19,...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Albany on Friday. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Albany on...

Malta was under a few inches of snow Friday morning after a snow storm that pushed up the coast dropped several inches of snow on the Capital Region. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Malta was under a few inches of snow Friday morning after a snow...

Malta was under a few inches of snow Friday morning after a snow storm that pushed up the coast dropped several inches of snow on the Capital Region. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Malta was under a few inches of snow Friday morning after a snow...

Snow is cleared from the entrance of the U.S. District Court house in Albany. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Snow is cleared from the entrance of the U.S. District Court house...

A worker clears snow from the walk in front of Kiernan Plaza in Albany. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

A worker clears snow from the walk in front of Kiernan Plaza in...

From left, Jahni Robinson, 19, Manny Holton, 20, Vincent Ward, 12, and Austin Ward, 11, all of Albany, walk near Washington Park looking for work with their shovels during a snow storm on Friday March 8, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

From left, Jahni Robinson, 19, Manny Holton, 20, Vincent Ward, 12,...

From left, Jahni Robinson, 19, Manny Holton, 20, Vincent Ward, 12, and Austin Ward, 11, all of Albany, walk near Washington Park looking for work with their shovels during a snow storm on Friday March 8, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

From left, Jahni Robinson, 19, Manny Holton, 20, Vincent Ward, 12,...

People walk in Washington Park during a snow storm on Friday March 8, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

People walk in Washington Park during a snow storm on Friday March...

A bike is covered in snow along Madison Ave. near Lark St. during a snow storm on Friday March 8, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

A bike is covered in snow along Madison Ave. near Lark St. during...

A motor bike sits idle and covered with snow in front of the Albany County Courthouse during a snow storm March 8, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A motor bike sits idle and covered with snow in front of the Albany...

An intrepid commuter walks in front of the Albany County Courthouse during a snow storm which has him protecting himself with ski goggles March 8, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

An intrepid commuter walks in front of the Albany County Courthouse...

A pedestrian shields herself from the elements as she walk on Elk Street during a snow storm March 8, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A pedestrian shields herself from the elements as she walk on Elk...

A street crossing sign holds up the foot traffic on Elk Street during a snow storm March 8, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A street crossing sign holds up the foot traffic on Elk Street...

Carl Kopps makes his way to work as he walks through the snow on Eagle Street March 8, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Carl Kopps makes his way to work as he walks through the snow on...

Cable guy Robert Dellaporta hooks up a customer on Lark Street during a snow storm March 8, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Meteorologist Neil Stuart studies a satellite map, at the National Weather Service, of the massive snow storm heading up the East Coast of the United States on Thursday Feb. 7, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Meteorologist Neil Stuart studies a satellite map, at the National...

Meteorologist Neil Stuart studies a satellite map, at the National Weather Service, of the massive snow storm heading up the East Coast of the United States on Thursday Feb. 7, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Meteorologist Neil Stuart studies a satellite map, at the National...

Computer screens, at the National Weather Service, displaying satellite maps of the massive snow storm heading up the East Coast of the United States on Thursday Feb. 7, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Computer screens, at the National Weather Service, displaying...

A computer screen, at the National Weather Service, displaying satellite maps of the massive snow storm heading up the East Coast of the United States on Thursday Feb. 7, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

A computer screen, at the National Weather Service, displaying...

From left, Stephen DiRienzo, warning coordination meteorologist, Ray O'Keefe, meteorologist in charge, and Neil Stuart, meteorologist, watch a satellite map on Neil's screen at the National Weather Service on Thursday Feb. 7, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. A massive snow storm is heading up the East Coast of the United States. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Dave Weiss of City of Albany's DGS replaces lights at the Corning Preserve boat launch with new LED units Wednesday Feb. 6, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Dave Weiss of City of Albany's DGS replaces lights at the Corning...

A New York State Department of Transportation snow plow leaves Wednesday morning Feb. 6, 2013 from the Latham, N.Y. terminal for a test drive before the next snow event which will occur on Friday of this week. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A New York State Department of Transportation snow plow leaves...

A trailer load of salt arrives at the New York State Department of Transportation Wednesday morning Feb. 6, 2013 at the Latham, N.Y. terminal before the next snow event which will occur on Friday of this week. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Drivers make their way slowly along the South Mall Arterial on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 in Albany, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Drivers make their way slowly along the South Mall Arterial on...

An ice jam on the Mohawk River at the Stockade in Schenectady Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

An ice jam on the Mohawk River at the Stockade in Schenectady...

Brandie Dingman of Fultonville stops on her lunch hour walk to take a picture of an ice jam on the Mohawk River at the Stockade in Schenectady Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Brandie Dingman of Fultonville stops on her lunch hour walk to take...

Traffic on the Western Gateway Bridge crosses an ice jam on the Mohawk River at the Stockade in Schenectady Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Traffic on the Western Gateway Bridge crosses an ice jam on the...

An ice jam on the Mohawk River at the Stockade in Schenectady Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

An ice jam on the Mohawk River at the Stockade in Schenectady...

Brandie Dingman of Fultonville stops on her lunch hour walk to take a picture of an ice jam on the Mohawk River at the Stockade in Schenectady Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Brandie Dingman of Fultonville stops on her lunch hour walk to take...

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi mans her post at the intersection of Elbel St. and Whitehall Road Jan. 23, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. Rossi has been a Crossing Officer for 14 years. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi...

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi mans her post at the intersection of Elbel St. and Whitehall Road Jan. 23, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. Rossi has been a Crossing Officer for 14 years. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi...

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi mans her post at the intersection of Elbel St. and Whitehall Road Jan. 23, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. Rossi has been a Crossing Officer for 14 years. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi...

School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi receives a pair of gloves from a student she lent them to during the cold weather yesterday at her post at the intersection of Elbel St. and Whitehall Road Jan. 23, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. Rossi has been a Crossing Officer for 14 years. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi receives a pair of gloves from...

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi mans her post at the intersection of Elbel St. and Whitehall Road Jan. 23, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. Rossi has been a Crossing Officer for 14 years. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Despite sub zero temperatures School Crossing Officer Carla Rossi...

Niemah Johnson, 3, of Albany is bundled up against the cold on North Pearl St. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in Albany, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A man braves the wind and cold as he walks in Washington Park on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A man braves the wind and cold as he walks in Washington Park on...

A person is bundled up against wind and cold on State Street on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A person is bundled up against wind and cold on State Street on...

Two women fight the wind and cold on Eagle Street in Albany on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Two women fight the wind and cold on Eagle Street in Albany on...

Thomas Riddick of the Clean Team deals with the wind and cold as he works to keep the city streets clear on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Thomas Riddick of the Clean Team deals with the wind and cold as he...

Thomas Riddick of the Clean Team deals with the wind and cold as he works to keep the city streets clear on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Thomas Riddick of the Clean Team deals with the wind and cold as he...

Kerri Kluetzman has her hands full as she walks her dogs, Lucy, left, and Fledermaus on State Street Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Kerri Kluetzman has her hands full as she walks her dogs, Lucy,...

Beds in this smaller dorm room at the Capitol City Rescue Mission will be full tonight due to freezing temperatures on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Beds in this smaller dorm room at the Capitol City Rescue Mission...

Senior resident assistant Paul Johnson, center, hands out sleeping pads to program residents at the Capitol City Rescue Mission on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. The larger than normal number of people is due to freezing temperatures outside. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Senior resident assistant Paul Johnson, center, hands out sleeping...

Senior resident assistant Paul Johnson, left, hands out sleeping pads to program residents at the Capitol City Rescue Mission on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. The larger than normal number of people is due to freezing temperatures outside. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Senior resident assistant Paul Johnson, left, hands out sleeping...

Senior resident assistant Paul Johnson, left, hands out sleeping pads to program residents at the Capitol City Rescue Mission on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. The larger than normal number of people is due to freezing temperatures outside. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Senior resident assistant Paul Johnson, left, hands out sleeping...

A large amount of homeless people gather in the cafeteria for snacks and drinks at the Capitol City Rescue Mission on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. The larger than normal number of people is due to freezing temperatures outside. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

A large amount of homeless people gather in the cafeteria for...

Pizza donated by Domino's is given out to a large amount of homeless people during snack time at the Capitol City Rescue Mission on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. The larger than normal number of people is due to freezing temperatures outside. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Pizza donated by Domino's is given out to a large amount of...

All sixty beds in this larger dorm room at the Capitol City Rescue Mission will be full tonight due to freezing temperatures on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

All sixty beds in this larger dorm room at the Capitol City Rescue...

Resident and volunteer Ron Simpson organizes winter coats that will be given out at the Capitol City Rescue Mission on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Homeless people sit in the chapel before dinner time at the Capitol City Rescue Mission on Monday Jan. 21, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. The shelter will be full of homeless people due to freezing temperatures outside. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Homeless people sit in the chapel before dinner time at the Capitol...

2-yr-old Adrianna Wescott of Wynantskill screams with joy while sledding down a hill at Frear Park on Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013 in Troy, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

2-yr-old Adrianna Wescott of Wynantskill screams with joy while...

Cheyenne Taylor, 9, of Troy shovels in front of her home during a snow fall on Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013 in Troy, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

A person waits for the bus in the extreme on Washington Avenue Tuesday morning Jan. 3, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A person waits for the bus in the extreme on Washington Avenue...

The chill in the air is shown as this person crosses Washington Avenue Tuesday morning Jan. 3, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

The chill in the air is shown as this person crosses Washington...

Children bundled up to protect themselves from the cold weather Tuesday morning Jan. 3, 2013, as they cross a North Manning Boulevard bridge to get to Arbor Hill Elementary School in Albany, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Children bundled up to protect themselves from the cold weather...

Water from a ruptured water pipe floods the streets at the Roulier Heights Apartments in Cohoes Thursday Jan. 3, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Water from a ruptured water pipe floods the streets at the Roulier...

A Cohoes Water Dept. truck responds to a ruptured water pipe at the Roulier Heights Apartments Thursday Jan. 3, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

A Cohoes Water Dept. truck responds to a ruptured water pipe at the...

Roulier Heights Apartments resident Sarah Roberts negotiates a flooded sidewalk on her way to work Thursday Jan. 3, 2013, in Cohoes, N.Y. City officials are dealing with a ruptured water pipe at the Roulier Heights apartments that forced the city to close Garner Street. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Al Martinez of Albany uses his cell phone to record temperature display on a bank sign at Pearl and State Streets in Albany Thursday Jan. 3, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Al Martinez of Albany uses his cell phone to record temperature...

Saratoga Spa State Park employee Dan Urkevich lays down the base coat of water from a hose, for the ice skating rink next to the Victoria Pool to take advantage of the cold weather, at the park on Tuesday Jan. 3, 2012 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The rink, which is free to use, will take several days of water and continued cold weather before it can open. The rink needs coats of water throughout the winter. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union )

Saratoga Spa State Park employee Dan Urkevich lays down the base...

A plow clears Midline Road in Amsterdam on Saturday as snows accumulate across the state. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The plows were out all night trying to stay ahead of the storm in Saratoga County. (SKIP DICKSTEIN / TIMES UNION)

The plows were out all night trying to stay ahead of the storm in...

Justin Romito, left, and Sarah Daus, kill time at Albany International Airport. Trying to get back to Portland, Ore., they were stranded at the airport for more than 48 hours. (SKIP DICKSTEIN / TIMES UNION)

Justin Romito, left, and Sarah Daus, kill time at Albany...

A caution sign tells motorists something that they probably already know: Caution is best on a snowy commute. (SKIP DICKSTEIN / TIMES UNION)

A caution sign tells motorists something that they probably already...

The 6:30 a.m. Southwest Airline flight to Chicago Midway was still being de-iced at 7:59 a.m. at Albany International Airport on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. (SKIP DICKSTEIN / TIMES UNION)

The 6:30 a.m. Southwest Airline flight to Chicago Midway was still...

Airport snow plows work around the Southwest flight to Chicago Midway this morning due to the inclement weather both here in Colonie, N.Y. and in the Chicago area Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Airport snow plows work around the Southwest flight to Chicago...

Southwest flight to Chicago Midway finally gets off the ramp and on its way 1 1/2 hours late this morning due to the inclement weather both her in Colonie, N.Y. and in the Chicago area Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Southwest flight to Chicago Midway finally gets off the ramp and on...

Airport snow plows try to stay ahead of the snow to keep the main runway clear at the Albany International Airport in Colonie, N.Y. and in the Chicago area Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Airport snow plows try to stay ahead of the snow to keep the main...

Airport workers deice a Southwest flight at the Albany International Airport in Colonie, N.Y. and in the Chicago area Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Airport workers deice a Southwest flight at the Albany...

A car which spun out near Exit 5 of the I 87 southbound is winched up on to a tow vehicle in Latham, N.Y. and in the Chicago area Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A car which spun out near Exit 5 of the I 87 southbound is winched...

Justin Romito and Sarah Daus have been stranded for more than 48 hours at the Albany International Airport in Colonie, N.Y. trying to return to their home in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Justin Romito and Sarah Daus have been stranded for more than 48...

A man and his snowblower clear powder on Lone Pine Road in Guilderland after a storm Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 dumped heavy snow on the Capital Region. (PAUL GRONDAHL / TIMES UNION)

A man and his snowblower clear powder on Lone Pine Road in...

A woman uses an umbrella to protect her from the snow near the State Capitol building in Albany, N.Y. Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A woman uses an umbrella to protect her from the snow near the...

Pedestrians take to the streets to get to their destination due to the snowfall in Albany, N.Y. Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Pedestrians take to the streets to get to their destination due to...

A person assists a van that was snowed in on Central Avenue in Albany, N.Y. Dec 27, 2012. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Thursday's snow made for slippery driving on McCarty Avenue at Southern Boulevard in Albany. (Jimmy Vielkind / Times Union)

Thursday's snow made for slippery driving on McCarty Avenue at...

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park...

Joe Mangiaracina of Voorheesville and his daughter Carly, 4, enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Joe Mangiaracina of Voorheesville and his daughter Carly, 4, enjoy...

Bethy Behuniak, 12, of Slingerlands snowboards on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Bethy Behuniak, 12, of Slingerlands snowboards on the hill at the...

Mason Smolen, 6, of Guilderland wears his Angry Birds hat while enjoying sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Mason Smolen, 6, of Guilderland wears his Angry Birds hat while...

Lauren Buess, 9, falls off her sled as she goes over a jump on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Lauren Buess, 9, falls off her sled as she goes over a jump on the...

Mason Smolen, 6, of Guilderland starts the walk up the hill with his father Tom Smolen after sledding into the weeds at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Mason Smolen, 6, of Guilderland starts the walk up the hill with...

Jeff Jensen, 11, of Altamont gets some air on a jump as he enjoys sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Jeff Jensen, 11, of Altamont gets some air on a jump as he enjoys...

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park...

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park...

Jeff Jensen, 11, of Altamont gets some air on a jump as he enjoys sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Jeff Jensen, 11, of Altamont gets some air on a jump as he enjoys...

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Kids of all ages enjoy sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park...

Cooper Borman of Austin Texas enjoys sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. Cooper was in Guilderland visiting his grandparents. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Cooper Borman of Austin Texas enjoys sledding on the hill at the...

Kyra Donohue, 9, of Guilderland gets some air on a jump as she enjoys sledding on the hill at the Tawasentha Park Winter Recreation Area during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Kyra Donohue, 9, of Guilderland gets some air on a jump as she...

Plows clear the parking lot in the Price Chopper Plaza during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Plows clear the parking lot in the Price Chopper Plaza during the...

A tractor trailer jack-knifed on Route 144 in Selkirk at noon Thursday, Dec. 28, 2012. (Tom Heffernan Sr. / Special to the Times Union)

A tractor trailer jack-knifed on Route 144 in Selkirk at noon...

Snow covers a wreath decorated with a bow and lights during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Snow covers a wreath decorated with a bow and lights during the...

A couple neighbors use different tools to clear their driveways during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

A couple neighbors use different tools to clear their driveways...

Snow covers the baby Jesus in a manger during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Snow covers the baby Jesus in a manger during the Capital Region's...

Trash cans were buried in deep snow at curbs during the Capital Region's first snow storm of the season on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 in Guilderland, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

According to Don Cleveland, a front-loader operator for the state Department of Transportatoin, said the state will probably go through 500 tons of road salt during the storm. Cleveland was loading up at a DOT garage at the corner of Route 155 and the Northway in Colonie. (SKIP DICKSTEIN / TIMES UNION)

According to Don Cleveland, a front-loader operator for the state...

Don Friebel of D&T Landscaping fills up with gas in Colonie, N.Y. Dec 26, 2012 in preparation for the storm that is forecast for the Capital District tonight and tomorrow. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Don Friebel of D&T Landscaping fills up with gas in Colonie,...

NYS DOT driver Lance Kramer walks between snow plows at the DOT offices in Latham, N.Y. Dec 26, 2012 after they vehicles are readied for the storm that is forecast for the Capital District tonight and tomorrow. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

NYS DOT driver Lance Kramer walks between snow plows at the DOT...

NYS DOT operator Don Cleveland watches as tons of salt are delivered in Latham, N.Y. Dec 26, 2012 in preparation for the storm that is forecast for the Capital District tonight and tomorrow. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

NYS DOT operator Don Cleveland watches as tons of salt are...

NYS DOT operator Don Cleveland moves tons of salt are delivered DOT garage in Latham, N.Y. Dec 26, 2012 in preparation for the storm that is forecast for the Capital District tonight and tomorrow. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A light covering of snow makes for a white Christmas morning at the Empire State Plaza with the capitol building seen in the background on Tuesday. More snow is expected to fall Wednesday evening. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A light covering of snow makes for a white Christmas morning at the...

Snow covers the Empire State Plaza on Tuesday in Albany. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A relatively dry winter came to a snowy, slushy close Tuesday as tandem storms churned across the Capital Region hours before the official arrival of spring.

In the Albany area, an overnight storm Monday that tracked in from the Great Lakes was milder than anticipated, but a Tuesday afternoon squall that formed over the Atlantic Coast followed up with a powerful punch, with near white-out conditions closing roads and triggering dozens of accidents.

In all, 7.3 inches of snow fell in Albany, 3.5 inches from the overnight storm and another 3.8 inches piled up Tuesday afternoon and again in the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Points north of Albany, including Saratoga Springs, were socked by both storms. More than 12 inches of snow had fallen there by midafternoon, with more accumulation possible as scattered snow was expected overnight.

Most of Schenectady and Rensselaer counties had about 7 inches of snow.

That the storms played out not entirely as predicted was a fitting coda to what meteorologists say was an erratic winter. Storms this year that were supposed to bury the Capital Region dropped just a few inches of snow, while others that were forecast to dust the area brought some of the highest totals of the winter.

"Sometimes, when we were looking for more, we got less. When we were looking for less, we got more," said Ray O'Keefe, a weather service meteorologist. "Mother Nature continues to confound us."

In early February, a massive storm, called Nemo by the Weather Channel, was supposed to dump more than a foot of snow on the Capital Region. Nemo set records around Boston and other parts of Massachusetts, pummelling some cities with more than 2 feet of snow, but it brought just 6.7 inches to Albany, according to weather service data.

Two weeks ago, a weekend storm that was projected to hit Albany with just 2 to 3 inches of snow dropped 9.6 inches on the city, the highest single-storm total for the season.

As of Tuesday evening, 48.9 inches of snow had fallen in Albany, just under the 53.6-inch average. Just 23.3 inches of snow fell in Albany last winter, according to weather service data.

"Every winter there is something new to learn," O'Keefe said. "This one has given us some challenges, but for the most part I think we've been in the ballpark."

Before Monday's and Tuesday's storms, Albany was on track for its lowest two-year snowfall total in nearly 25 years.

Paul Roundy, an associate professor of atmospheric and environmental sciences at the University at Albany, said no specific trends indicate that winters here are becoming drier. Roundy pointed out that just three years ago, Albany had one of its snowiest winters on record, with 87.2 inches.

"It's not something systematic," Roundy said. "Each year has a different pattern that is largely independent from the other one."

Spring officially starts at 7:02 a.m. Wednesday, but daily high temperatures are not expected to crack the 30s for the rest of this week, according to the weather service.

The snow and cold are a stark departure from this time last year: The highs on March 18 and 19, 2012, were 78 and 82 degrees, respectively.